by Social Futures Community Hub | 25, Jan 2023 | Families and children
In response to the high rate of drownings in Australia, Lismore’s sports centre, GSAC, is offering free water safety lessons to children participating in the Active Kids vacation care program.
Over the summer holidays GSAC staff saw a need for water safety lessons when several children from the Active Kids vacation care program could not swim 25 metres unassisted, a requirement to participate in the obstacle course activity.
The children who could not swim the distance were offered free water safety lessons by the GSAC Swimsations team. The lessons are designed to build skills and confidence in the water.
Lismore City Council General Manager John Walker said ensuring children within our community can learn to swim is very important.
“With the disruptions local families have faced over the past two years from COVID-19 and the natural disaster, it is great to see initiatives like this teaching vital skills to our young people,” he said.
The Federal Government estimate that more than 12 million swimming lessons were missed across Australia throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Royal Life Saving Australia has reported 39 drownings this summer alone, nine of which are aged 0-17.
The GSAC Learn to Swim team is working hard to make up for lost time. Attendance numbers are on the rise, with 711 attendees currently enrolled in lessons.
Swimsations at GSAC is a fully accredited swim school with qualified and well-trained staff who teach people of all ages. The water safety program is based on NSW Department of Education and Royal Life Saving Australia benchmarks.
There has never been a better time to teach your kids to swim. For more information on the GSAC Swimsations program, go to www.gsac.net.au or call 6625 5370.
Photo: Swimsations instructor with a child from the Active Kids vacation care program
by Social Futures Community Hub | 17, Jan 2023 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health)
Come along to understand more about personal and community recovery after a natural disaster like flooding at a Resilient Lismore event.
Hear from David Younger, a Melbourne based clinical psychologist and natural disaster preparedness and recovery consultant. In 2009, the Black Saturday bushfires came close to where he was living and working, and as a result he became deeply involved in treating and supporting survivors.
David will share key messages designed to help you understand more about the challenges we are facing and, what you can do to maintain your overall health and wellbeing.
He will also talk about how communities can best support themselves. All community members welcome!
by Social Futures Community Hub | 17, Jan 2023 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Families and children
The Family Centre has new programs coming up in the Northern Rivers.
| Circle of Security Parenting |
| Tuesdays 7 February –21 March 2023, 10am–12pm
A course for parents of children 0–5yrs. The course shows parents/carers how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened. Parents/carers will learn how to understand their child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs, support their child’s ability to manage emotions and enhance the development of their child’s self-esteem. Parents will also learn to honour their own innate wisdom and fulfil their desire for their child to be secure.
7 x 2hour sessions.
The Family Centre, Tweed Heads South |
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| No Scaredy Cats – Online |
| Thursdays 16 February – 2 March 2023, 10am–12.30pm
A course to support parents/carers to reduce anxiety and build resilience in children aged 2–12 years old. The course will cover how anxiety develops, how parents/caregivers can take a preventative role in the development of anxiety problems, and how parents/caregivers can support children to develop skills to reduce anxiety and build resilience. 3 x 2.5hour sessions.
Online courses are for Ballina, Byron & Tweed Shire residents |
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| 123 Magic & Emotion Coaching |
Wednesdays 15 March–29 March 2023,
10.30am–12.30pmAn evidence-based parenting program for parents/carers with children aged from 2–12 years. The program is facilitated over 3 sessions & supports parents/carers to feel more confident to respond to their children’s behaviours. Parents/carers are provided practical strategies to engage with their child in the process of identifying & managing their own emotions, encouraging positive behaviours & building emotional resilience. 3 x 2hour sessions.The Family Centre, Ballina |
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| Bringing Up Great Kids |
Tuesdays 21 February–28 March 2023,
10.30am–12.30pmBringing up Great Kids is a parenting course that promotes and supports respectful, caring and nurturing relationships for children aged 0–12. Parents are encouraged to become more reflective and mindful in their parenting approach. The group involves fun and interactive activities that includes key learnings of brain development, attachment theory, self-care and other useful parenting strategies. 6 x 2hour sessions.The Hub, Ocean Shores Baptist Church |
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| Tuning in to Teens |
Tuesdays 21 February – 28 March 2023,
5.30pm–7.30pmA course for parents/carers of teenagers 12–17 year olds. Tuning in to Teens aims to help you and your adolescent manage the many emotional challenges of this stage of life. We will explore how to manage your own and your adolescent’s emotions in ways that support you to remain close and keep communicating.By learning these skills, you are less likely to have as much conflict within your family and your teen is more likely to talk to you about the challenging issues they face. 6 x 2hour sessions.
The Family Centre, Tweed Heads South |
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| Find connection with other parents/carers and children while learning and playing together. Access to useful information regarding parenting, local services and activities.
Playgroups free and are run during NSW school terms.
Tweed Shire – 9.30am–11.30am
Monday – Tweed Heads
Tuesday – Fingal
Wednesday – Tweed Heads South
Thursday – Murwillumbah
Ballina Shire – 10am–12pm
Wednesday – South Golden Beach
Thursday – Ballina |
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| Anger and Emotional Intelligence – Online |
| Fridays 3 March–17 March 2023, 10am–11.30am
3 day online course for men and women. Content includes: identify what anger is and what it does, what triggers your anger and ways to make it work for you and your relationships. 3 x 1.5hr sessions.
Online courses are for Ballina, Byron & Tweed Shire residents |
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NEW COURSE
Step Families 101 |
| Wednesday 22 February 2023, 12pm–1pm
Discuss the joys and challenges of your stepfamily with other parents who are in a similar position, and learn some new ways to support the children and each other
Your facilitators are experienced in stepfamily challenges and rewards, and will kick off a discussion about the most important things for the parents to keep in mind to successfully manage their new family.
The Family Centre, Tweed Heads |
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| Self Esteem to Empower Women |
| Tuesday 28 March 2023, 9.30am–3.30pm
A 1 day course that assists women to understand: self-esteem and what influences it, unhelpful thinking and how to challenge negative thinking/self-talk and exploring boundaries in relationships. Through information sessions, practical exercises and group discussions we will also explore how self-care can influence our self-esteem and self-worth.
Nullum House, Murwillumbah |
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| Family Centre Information Session |
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| Tuesday 7 March 2023, 10am–11am
Find out about:
Our people and where we are located
Our work with children, young people, families, schools & communities
Our community activities and our partners
Everyone is welcome!
Murwillumbah Community Centre |
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by Social Futures Community Hub | 17, Jan 2023 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health)
Heartfelt House is beginning a new healing program for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Please see the attached pamphlet for more information.
by Social Futures Community Hub | 17, Jan 2023 | Employment opportunities
Lismore City Council launched the inaugural Lismore Employment Acceleration Pathways (LEAP) program on Monday. This annual program aims to create employment opportunities within the local community for those looking to start or change careers.
The first intake, a group of 15 people, consists of school students and recent school graduates who will undertake traineeships in horticulture, civil construction, water and sewer, libraries, finance and the customer contact centre.
Lismore City Council General Manager John Walker said he was pleased to see so many people register for the program in its first year.
“Having this many proactive local candidates kickstart their careers at Lismore City Council through the LEAP program is exciting. The program will greatly benefit both Council and the community moving forward,” he said.
The LEAP program offers a range of apprenticeships, traineeships and training opportunities to candidates in line with their areas of interest. The program is designed to grow youth employment and develop skills in the region. A professional training team will support each candidate in the LEAP program.
LEAP will be an annual program with applications opening at the end of each year. LEAP is open to people of all ages looking to start or change their careers.
Council would like to thank the local schools participating in the program and Training NSW for their assistance.
If you are interested in the LEAP program or would like more information, please contact Council’s People & Culture team on 6625 0500 or email [email protected].
Photo: The first intake of candidates to the LEAP program with Lismore City Council General Manager John Walker and the LEAP program support team.
by Social Futures Community Hub | 17, Jan 2023 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Momentum is inviting all people who were born and live on Bundjalung Country to showcase their creative talents by taking part in our ‘Bundjalung Artwork Competition’ for a chance to WIN $500!
To enter, simply create an artwork that shares a unique story, take a photo of your beautiful piece, and upload it to your Facebook profile. You must include the hashtag #MomentumCollectiveBundjalungArtworkComp and tag @MomentumCollectiveAustralia so we can see your beautiful artwork!
Alternatively, if you’re not a social media user, please email a photo of your artwork with your name, age and location to our Aboriginal Engagement Specialist at [email protected].
The competition closes on Tuesday, 28 February. Good luck everyone!
T&Cs apply! For more information, click here https://bit.ly/3ihsbwC
by Social Futures Community Hub | 17, Jan 2023 | Aged care, Families and children
Carers NSW is holding a Ballina workshop that will look at future planning for carers on Thursday, February 23.
See attached pamphlet.
by Social Futures Community Hub | 10, Jan 2023 | Services and support groups, Training and professional development
2023 Better Chances Engagement Practice Forum
Call for presentations and activities
The Better Chances Forum (BCF) planning group is calling for proposals for presentations, workshops and other activities to include in the 2023 Better Chances Engagement Practice Forum.
Connect, reflect and share our stories
This exciting regional forum will be a great opportunity to share, learn and build engagement practice and connection among workers, services and communities supporting children, young people and their families across Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr Country (Northern Rivers).
Date: 15 March 2023
Venue: Ballina RSL Club
Do you have a story to share?
Click here to view our 2023 Call for Presentations and Activities Information Sheet
Click here for our BCF Forum – Presentation Application Form
You can complete your application via an online form https://forms.office.com/r/2fVUuvHDdT or by completing and emailing the Application Form to [email protected]
Your proposal needs to be received by Wednesday 1 February 2023.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your proposal prior to submitting please contact Ian O’Reilly on 0438 005 798 or email [email protected]
by Social Futures Community Hub | 10, Jan 2023 | Services and support groups, Training and professional development
Better Chances Forum (BCF) Strengthening Days are a healing and connection space for First Nations workers. We offer a culturally led space where workers who support children and families in the Northern Rivers of NSW can connect and ‘work together to present our united voice about what we need as Aboriginal workers to support our jarjums and families.’
Strengthening Days have been held regularly in the Northern Rivers since 2019.
This is a Better Chances Forum (BCF) project, supported by the Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub, Social Futures, YWCA and NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
Feedback from Strengthening Days about ‘how we can work better together across cultures’ is shared with BCF members.
We encourage organisations to support First Nations staff to participate in this development opportunity.
For more information and to hear about upcoming events contact Social Futures on phone 0429 377 761 or email [email protected]
Artwork provided by Graham Toomey, Aboriginal artist of the Wiradjuri and Wongaibon Nations
by Social Futures Community Hub | 10, Jan 2023 | Young people
Not much happening this school holidays? Clubhouse to the rescue! Our holiday program features six awesome sessions, including podcasting with radio professionals, painting surf boards, composing your own song with a musician (the drummer for AC/DC no less!!), cooking straight from the garden and filming your own music video.
And the best thing is… it’s all free! If you’re aged 12-18 yrs, come along to The Clubhouse – 32 Swift St, Ballina.
For info call Renee on 0456 511 499 or email [email protected]
#SayNoToBoredom #SchoolHolidays #Fun #Music #Art #Clubhouse #WeAreSocialFutures
